Denny Hamlin predicts 'heavyweight battle' in NASCAR Playoff Round of 8

Denny Hamlin believes the Round of 8 will be an epic battle between the best in the NASCAR Cup Series, as they all try to get to the Championship 4.

With the playoff system the sport has deployed over the last couple of seasons, the top drivers don’t always make it to the final battle. However, Hamlin believes the few still standing have been the best in the Cup Series throughout 2024, and it’s setting up for a memorable conclusion.

“It’s hard to believe, and NASCAR will use that as their selling point, ‘See, you guys survived. We need to throw more at you. We need to have a jump, and have you running through hoops. We’re going to have you running through hoops of fire, and then you’re going to have to do something else.’ NASCAR, they love these little gimmicks here and there. In all seriousness, you’ve got the best eight. The best eight is in there,” Hamlin stated, via the latest episode of his Action Detrimental podcast.

“It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be tough because all of these teams, they’re all threats to win any of these three races, and they’re all threats to run P1 through P8 all three races. I think it’s just going to be a heavyweight battle.”

Of course, Hamlin is one of the best in the sport, but he’s never been able to rise above and win a title. If he does get the job done in 2024, nobody will be able to say he didn’t earn it, as the rest of the remaining drivers all have a solid case at winning the championship this season.

Kyle Larson has been phenomenal, and he has six wins on the season and a championship in the bag already, while Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick and William Byron feels like they’re ready to break through and become champions on their own.

Meanwhile, past champions like Joey Logano, who’s won twice, along with Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney are looking to climb to the top of the mountain once again. While they already have their rings, Hamlin does not, and he only has so many chances left at reaching the promised land.

It all gets underway this weekend, as the Round of 8 will begin in Las Vegas. It’s a place Denny Hamlin has won at before, and if he can lock himself into the Championship 4 at Phoenix, the rest of the field might have to start worrying about the prowess the No. 11 team possesses.